Tips for Students

Tips for cutting down on drinking

Keep track of how much you drink. Find a way to track that works for you. Consider transferring paperclips or some light object from one pocket to the other pocket to keep a tally of how many drinks you consume while you are drinking.

Counting and Measuring. Know standard drink sizes and alcohol content of type of drinks (beer, wine, mixed drinks, etc.) so you can know how much alcohol you consume.

Setting Goals. Decide before drinking how days a week, how many drinks per day and per hour that you want to consume.

Pace and Space Pace yourself when drinking. Sip slowly. Drink no more than one drink per hour. Alternate with non-alcoholic "drink spacers" (juice, soda, water, etc.).

Eat before drinking.

Avoid "triggers." "Response" or "Trigger" drinking when faced with a stressor, person, or place is hard to stop. The easiest way is to avoid the trigger. If home is a place where problem drinking happens, don't keep alcohol at home.